8 crime movies we can’t wait to see

A slew of top directors and some of Hollywood’s most renowned icons are dipping their toes into the cinematic crime genre. Big hitters such as Nicole Kidman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Michael Winterbottom, Robert Duvall and James Galdofini are all involved in hotly anticipated thrillers set to be released in the next few months. Here are the ones we are already excited about.

Before I Go To Sleep

 
Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? This is a gripping, haunting and beautifully filmed adaptation of S. J. Watson’s novel Before I Go To Sleep. Christine wakes up every morning with no recollection of who she is or who the man asleep beside her could be, as you watch her life come into focus and the questions she begins to ask become more astute the dread slowly overtakes your sense. This adaptation is atmospheric, chilling and superbly brought to the screen by the three lead actors.

Released: 5th September 2014

Hyena

 
The gritty realities of crime on the streets of London are exposed in this thriller, as a maverick cop pushes the definition of ‘corrupt’ to extremes. Gerard Johnson, who made the quirky serial killer drama Tony, is unflinching in his portrayal of an unravelling detective named Michael who is trying to come to terms with a new wave of gangsters causing havoc in the capital. Even Michael’s rock-bottom morals are upset as the crime landscape changes and the body count grows.

Released: 17th October 2014

The Drop

 
Sadly, The Drop features the final appearance of the great James Gandolfini, who plays Cousin Marv in this Dennis Lehane scripted thriller (adapted from his short story Animal Rescue). Tom Hardy plays bartender Bob Saginowski, who helps the local mob launder money through his place of employment, but he is soon embroiled in a robbery that goes wrong, dredging up family history and misplaced loyalties.

Released: 14th November 2014

The Judge

 
In terms of cast, it’s hard to beat this drama which features Robert Downey Jr. as a hotshot lawyer who returns to his hometown to discover his father, a former judge played by Robert Duvall, is on trial for murder. Downey has to unearth the truth behind the killing, while defending him in court against a prosecutor (Billy Bob Thronton) determined to send him down. From the director of Wedding Crashers, some unexpected humour emerges between the tense courtroom scenes and the complicated father-son dynamic.

Released: 24th October 2014

Foxcatcher

 
Based on a true story, this psychological drama follows Olympic gold medal winning brothers, played by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, and their damaged relationship with their schizophrenic wrestling coach and father figure, brought to life by an incredible performance by Steve Carrell. Bennet Miller, with his first film since the multi-award winning Moneyball, took home the Best Director prize from Cannes for this gripping, thoroughly dark investigation into male relationships.

Released: 9th January 2015

The Face of an Angel

 
More true crime here as the mercurial Michael Winterbottom directs this fictional exploration of the Amanda Knox case. Inspired by the book Angel Face: Sex, Murder and the Inside Story of Amanda Knox by American journalist Barbie Latza Nadeau, Daniel Bruhl plays a filmmaker, hired to turn journalist Kate Beckinsale’s account of a murder into a movie. But he soon begins to question the motives of everyone around him: the press, the judiciary and even those accused of the killing.

Released: Early 2015

Nightcrawler

 
If you’re an aficionado of dank, L.A. noir, then this unflinching look at the world of freelance photographers who scour the city streets for grizzly crime scene footage will be right up your blood-splattered alley. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a three time loser who tries to break into this questionable business, hustling to get the best shot of the most graphic events before the rest of the pack.

Released: 14th November 2014

Inherent Vice

 
Incredibly, this is the first ever film adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon work but it should be in good hands with director Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master, There Will Be Blood) at the helm. Joaquin Phoenix plays the slightly drug-addled detective Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello as he investigates the disappearance of his girlfriend in 1970s L.A. Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and a whole host of others fill out the cast for this highly anticipated feature.

Released: 30th January 2015

Which upcoming crime movies are you excited for? Let us know in the comments below!